Channel 11 exclusive: A look inside the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey
Pennsylvania State Police is not immune from the staffing concerns we’ve seen in so many professions since the pandemic. It comes as more local departments rely on state police for coverage.
And while Pennsylvania State Police say their response times are as strong as ever, they’re always working to make sure it stays that way.
In a Channel 11 Exclusive, Morning News Anchor Katherine Amenta takes you inside the State Police Academy in Hershey, to show you how they’re preparing for the future and answering an ever-expanding call of duty.
It’s a little before 7 a.m., and the new cadets at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy have just seven minutes to eat their breakfast, before moving on to the next part of their rigorous day. It’s also the start of our day, exclusively going behind the scenes with Director of Recruitment, Captain Jamal Pratt, to see how policing is evolving.
These halls are filled with cadets, but it’s been harder to do in recent years.
“I will not say it’s crisis level; it is alarming for us,” said Captain Jamal Pratt, Director of Recruitment.
Pratt said it’s the applicant pool that’s seen the biggest decline.
“In 2006, when I applied for the Pennsylvania State Police,” recalled Pratt. “I applied with 12,000 applicants.”
This year they’re on pace to have just 3,000, but it’s still enough to fill their classes.
“People just aren’t willing to make that sacrifice,” said Pratt. “You have one of the very few professions in this world that you can save a life, take a life or give your life.”
Captain Pratt knows it’s been a difficult few years around the country, with several high-profile police incidents hurting public opinion and trust.
“Will I say that public perception is skewed? No,” said Pratt. “Because when those incidents happen, it is fearful for a lot of people. Us included. But, at the same token, it is not something that happens as often as I think the public perception is.”
To that point, I asked Pratt about a recent report from the “National Policing Institute”, that state officials say found there were no signs of racial profiling during traffic stops by Pennsylvania State Police in 2022.
I asked Pratt if it’s personally frustrating that so much coverage is focused on the negative and criticism - and then there’s this positive data out there too.
“I do,” said Pratt. “I find it very personally frustrating, especially as a minority male. I would not want my family or friends treated that way. But, what the frustrating part is, of the millions of interactions that we have with the public, that studies that those that you’re speaking of, are very rarely highlighted.”
He says part of helping to turn the tide is expanding diversity among the ranks.
“The public perception is that I want to see someone reflective of myself serving me,” said Pratt.
In 2021, almost 93% of Pennsylvania State Troopers were white, with men making up nearly 87% of that.
However, Pratt says the Academy is making tremendous strides, with now 46% of applicants being diverse, something not seen 20 to 25 years ago.
“Every day, getting to look in the mirror and say I did this,” said Cadet Caileigh Bolin.
Cadet Caileigh Bolin knows she’s part of that growth. She’s from Western Pennsylvania and is set to graduate in August. She says she hopes her journey is proof that the job is open to everyone.
“It definitely gets other females thinking, if they’re doing it, I can do it,” said Bolin. “It’s important to have females in the field.”
Of course, it’s not just who is wearing the uniform, it’s also about what they’re learning. Pratt knows the Academy is a culture shock for the cadets at first, but Pratt says this is all meant to strip down and build up a well-rounded trooper to meet the needs of the times. In the last few years, that has included a new partnership with Hershey Medical Center to enhance their mental health training.
“The responsibilities of a trooper in the field has changed. Right? Our roles have changed,” said Pratt. “Am I responding to a crisis or am I responding to a conflict?”
Cadet Ethan Everetts says it all comes down to being there for anyone, in any capacity.
“You just remember why you’re here,” said Everetts. “Why you want to be the one to get called.”
It’s a solemn duty that Pratt says needs to be at the core of every trooper, who knows one day, they could make the ultimate sacrifice.
“And if something were to happen,” Bolin reflected. “I at least know, and my family will always know, I did the right thing and I was out there helping people.”
State Police say out of their applicant pool, they like to accept at least 100 cadets per class, three times a year.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, visit patrooper.com.
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